"We hope to reduce the number of burglaries and the number of repeat victims by working smarter and putting our officers exactly where they are needed."

– Superintendent Alex Murray

Officers are now visiting victims of burglary and securing their homes. Locks, alarms, timers and fake TV devices are all fitted in a bid to prevent a further attack.

Police also inform the neighbours of the burglary and advise how to improve security at their homes.

They could receive some of the specialist gadgets too, if their house is found to be weak in certain areas.

Police in Birmingham Credit: PA Pictures

“We never underestimate the impact that a burglary has on the victim and this tactic will hopefully predict where the next burglary is going to take place allowing us to prevent it before it happens.”

– Superintendent Alex Murray

West Midlands Police are trialling the experiment across half of the city to see if it is a good way to spend tax payers' money. Police are also looking at the routes burglars take in certain areas to try and find a pattern in the attacks.